BEEVILLE – This fall, if students wish to use student parking at A.C. Jones High School they will be required to submit to random drug testing.

The Beeville Independent School District board of trustees Tuesday evening unanimously passed a revised drug policy that includes the parking provision.

The policy is the result of a parent-teacher committee convened earlier this year.

“Is that legal?” asked Trustee Velma Elizalde.

“Yes, it’s legal,” replied BISD Superintendent Dr. Sue Thomas, “because parking is a privilege. Under this policy, student parking is considered an extracurricular activity. Extracurricular students are held to a higher standard.”

Every extracurricular student will be tested at least once during the school year.

The policy states that the testing:

•Provides for the health and safety of all extracurricular students.

•Undermines the effects of peer pressure by providing a legitimate reason for extracurricular students to refuse illegal drugs.

•Encourages extracurricular students who use drugs to participate in drug treatment programs.

If a student refuses to take the test, BISD will treat that refusal as a positive result.

In addition to the yearly test, the policy stipulates that a student may be tested at any time on the grounds of “reasonable suspicion.”

The policy outlines procedures the district will follow in the event of a positive test result.

•First offense — their parents will be notified of the test results; students must complete a drug education program; students will be suspended from athletic and extracurricular activity for 14 days — along with losing their parking space — and must obtain approval before they may continue in any athletic or extracurricular program; they must be re-tested and pay the cost of the test.

•Second offense — Same as the first offense, except students will be suspended from athletic and extracurricular activity and lose their parking space for 42 days,

•Third offense — Same as the first, but the suspension is hiked to 120 days.

•Fourth offense — Students are suspended from athletics and extracurricular programs for the rest of the school year.

All drug testing results are confidential but will be kept on file for five years.

“It is important that they realize we’re not here for punishment,” Trustee Tom Beasley emphasized. “We’re here to help.”

Bill Clough is a reporter at the Bee-Picayune and can be reached at 358-2550, ext. 122, or at beepic@mySouTex.com.